Wir kämpfen jeden Tag, dass es besser wird. Es dauert wahrscheinlich noch ein paar Monate, vielleicht sogar bis Anfang nächster Saison, bis es wieder gut ist.
Missing the tournament in Zurich "really hurt," Baumgartner, who has played in Switzerland since he was 14, confesses in an interview with LAOLA1. "I had been looking forward to it for so long."
Another operation not ruled out
Instead, the 75-cap international had to go under the knife again, but improvement was only limited.
Baumgartner reveals: "It's still not good. We fight every day to make it better. It will probably take a few more months, maybe even until the start of next season, until it's completely good again."
The Salzburg native hopes that the issues with his ankle will resolve. Because: "If it doesn't get better, something will have to be done again next summer," meaning another procedure is not ruled out.
Injuries take a mental toll
At the start of the season, an upper-body injury added to his troubles, though it only cost him three games. Baumgartner has had enough of having to watch his teammates at SC Bern and the national team from the stands.
"That is the worst thing for an athlete, when you can't be with the team. In rehab, you're often alone, and you miss spending time with the guys the most," says Baumgartner. He is glad to be able to enjoy his time in the locker room and on the ice again.
Man stellt sich schon die Frage, ob man anfällig geworden ist, warum das jetzt passiert.
But the past year took a mental toll. "You do ask yourself whether you've become injury-prone, why this is happening now." He tried to focus on his rehab and see what he could improve to come back fully fit.
"That's how I tried to distract myself," says the 26-year-old, who now hopes to "stay healthy for as long as possible."
Entering fifth season in Bern as alternate captain
Baumgartner is now playing his fifth season for SC Bern.
With the 16-time Swiss ice hockey champions, the native of Zell am See has established himself as a key player, and in the summer he was named an alternate captain as part of the leadership group.
Baumgartner emphasizes: "I always want to take on a leadership role. It doesn't make a big difference whether you're in the leadership group or not. We generally have a very young team, we're all around the same age. We can push each other really well."
There's no need for someone "who stands in the locker room and screams."
Praise for new head coach Aubin
New head coach Serge Aubin also plays an important role. The Canadian is the last championship-winning coach of the Vienna Capitals; over the past six years, he led Eisbären Berlin to five German championship titles.
Baumgartner is full of praise: "How he deals with the players is unique. I've never experienced that myself. The whole team is behind him and wants to play for him."
Aubin brought a completely new tactical system to the club. "He wants to play a lot with the puck, skate a lot, play with intensity, and have slightly more attractive combinations than typical North American ice hockey. We are very open to that," says the forward.
Satisfied with the season so far
The "Mutzen" entered the international break in sixth place, which would mean direct qualification for the quarterfinals.
Baumgartner says: "So far things aren't looking bad, the results are mostly right." At the same time, he feels "that we can get even more out of the team."
Given his ongoing ankle problems, the left-handed shooter is not dissatisfied with his season so far. In 14 appearances, he has recorded two goals and four assists.
Baumgartner: "I'm very satisfied with my overall game, though I could finish a bit better in front of goal. Then the numbers would be better." However, team success comes first, stresses the four-time World Championship participant.
League title in Bern is the "top goal"
His future lies in Bern until at least 2028.
The former draft pick of the New Jersey Devils has not completely buried his dream of playing in the NHL, but notes: "Ice hockey in Switzerland is fantastic, the level in the league is incredible. More and more NHL stars are coming here."
Jetzt bin ich schon länger dort. Der Meistertitel ist das Top-Ziel.
It is very possible that the Salzburg native will stay in the National League long-term. There, Bern is his top priority: "I like the city, the people are friendly." He wants to play his part in getting the historic club back on the path to success.
In 2019, the "Mutzen" won their 16th and most recent championship; since then, they haven't made it past the quarterfinals. "Now I've been there for a while," Baumgartner says with a smile, "winning the championship title is the top goal."
